Querrey wins third LA Open title

Sam Querrey won his opening nine games en route to his third title at the Los Angeles Open on Sunday as the second seed crushed qualifier Ricardas Berankis 6-0, 6-2.

Querrey claimed his 13th straight victory at the UCLA campus venue as he joined Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi as a three-time winner on the hardcourts.

“It feels pretty good to be mentioned with those guys, they all did some pretty amazing things,” Querrey said.

Querrey lifted trophies at the Open in 2009 and 2010, missing last year as he recovered from elbow surgery. The American, ranked 57th overall, will gain an estimated 20 places on the world rankings as a result of his title — the seventh of his ATP Tour career.

Berankis, first player from Lithuania to play in an ATP final, was overwhelmed for the first set and a half before winning his first game for 1-3 with a drop shot.

Querrey also set a tournament record with the least games lost in a final. The previous best was just three losses by Jimmy Connors in 1982 here.

“I feel like I always play well here,” Querrey said. “I grew up playing in this area and I’m comfortable on this court. It all came together for me this week — especially today.”

Berankis, ranked 141 in the world is a former world junior champion. He appeared to be heading for what would have been the first 6-0, 6-0 loss in a final in ATP Tour history before he found his game in the second set.

Querrey finished with eight aces, 17 winners and broke the European five times. Berankis committed 19 unforced errors in the biggest match of his career.

Querrey took full advantage of his opponent’s rookie status: “He was a bit nervous, but I just focused on my game, my serve and my forehand.

“I’d not seen him play too much but I knew what to expect from his game. I just focused on me and let him see if he could beat my game,” Querrey said.

“I just want to keep this up and keep playing well this summer. I want to keep it going. I’m gonna try to continue and ride the train and play well through the US Open. I want to be seeded there,” he said.

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